Mayor Tom Tate is rapidly losing support from his fellow councillors for a cruise ship terminalSource: Supplied

GOLD Coast City councillors could vote as early as next week to can plans to build a $5 billion cruise ship terminal in the Broadwater.

Backroom lobbying in recent days has seen a huge shift in power at city hall with at least eight councillors now opposing Mayor Tom Tate’s dream, and a motion of “take no further role and thank the proponent’’ is expected at next Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Council sources said ongoing analysis and infrastructure costs to ratepayers, the sheer scale of the project and the State Government playing “Pontius Pilate’’ with its no cost/no risk policy had angered councillors.

“We went into this with the understanding that the ratepayers would not have to bear the cost of it and that Doug Jennings Park would be left alone,” a source said. “Obviously, neither of those things have happened.”

Mudgeeraba’s Glenn Tozer is also expected to vote against the current version of the project. At least one other councillor is also believed to be considering voting against it, bringing the total to 10.

The State Government last week announced ASF China Property as the preferred proponent, releasing details and designs of a 50-storey high-rise and low-rise residential buildings on Wavebreak Island and a cruise ship terminal on The Spit at Doug Jennings Park.

Councillors told the Bulletin
they were only fully briefed on the proposal yesterday, five days after the newspaper released designs to the public.

The Government’s decision to “walk away’’ from the project, leaving ratepayers to carry high infrastructure costs and a risk of potential failure, is a “risk we don’t want to take’’, one councillor said. “We can’t afford it, given we’re paying $200 million for the (2018) Commonwealth Games.’’

Cr Crichlow, who does not support the ASF design, called on all players to return to the negotiating table.

“It is always said that if you have eight votes you can burn the city down, and the opposition to this terminal has the necessary eight,’’ she said.

“I feel betrayed by the proponent because the council’s explicit wish that no development take place at Wavebreak Island has been ignored.”

A furious Cr Tate told the Bulletin he was deeply disappointed councillors had taken to social networking sites to declare their opposition.

“It is way too early for anyone to be making a decision on this given we have received such little information so far,’’ he said. “We will now have to go to the proponent apologetically because divisional councillors have jumped the gun.’’

Construction is unlikely to begin before 2016, if approved.

Cr Gates said she was disappointed with her colleagues.

“It would be extremely disappointing to me if my colleagues chose to opt out now,’’ she said. “We would be totally derelict in our duty of care not just to the state but to the community who we represent.’’

Comments on this story

Tom Fletcher Posted at 5:04 PM February 20, 2014

Why have a poll in this form? With all due respects, the results of the poll could prove nothing as they can be easily manipulated. If we want a proper survey, it should encompass ALL eligible voters in City of Gold Coast and be conducted under the auspices of the Australian Electoral Commission.

Tom Fletcher Posted at 5:00 PM February 20, 2014

And why, may I ask is Cr Tate upset that his councillors have let their constituents know what is going on? They are only doing their jobs. All I can say is - Ccongratulations and keep those messages coming.

Getitdone of Robina Posted at 12:27 PM February 20, 2014

Get rid of councillors with old world ideas. We need jobs and a growth city not old ppl who can only open festivals. We want action and we want a place for our children to work. If you can't vote for the future resign and retire.